A diversified small farm such as ours seeks to "stack" enterprises - that is, have complimentary processes and products that fit into a holistic undertaking.  Each of our "enterprises" fills a niche, both economic, ecological and temporal.  Each enterprise must fit our management capabilities and schedule as well as contribute to a cash flow "gap" or provide a buffer in case of the expected "unexpected" events.  So, for example, some of our grass generated income during the summer as the boarded heifers graze and we are paid monthly. During the winter the excess grass that was harvested as hay, provides income in January, February and March. The chickens are a relatively low-risk, high turnaround enterprise, since they are ready to butcher and sell after 8 weeks. Whereas turkeys take 4 months and the pigs take about 6 months. Beef is much riskier, high investment type of enterprise - one that we are now "out-sourcing".  You can read more about each of these topics in the tabs of the same name.